Obituaries
Obituaries
Zachary Alf, 3, and Ryann Marie Meo, 7, who brightened the neighborhood, died in Greys Ferry fire

Zachary Alf, 3, and Ryann Marie Meo, 7, who brightened the neighborhood, died in Greys Ferry fire

by Bonnie L. Cook
The two siblings were lively figures in their Grays Ferry neightborhood. Zachary Alf was always on his bike, his mother said. Ryann Marie Meo loved to dance and dreamed of being a doctor.
Elias S. Cohen, Pa.’s first commissioner on aging who later advocated for the old and disabled, dies at 93

Elias S. Cohen, Pa.’s first commissioner on aging who later advocated for the old and disabled, dies at 93

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mr. Cohen passionately supported the elderly, and didn't mince words when testifying before government committees. At one point he was called a 'wild jackass.' He was delighted with the insult.
Elias S. Cohen, Pa.’s first commissioner on aging who later advocated for the old and disabled, dies at 93

Elias S. Cohen, Pa.’s first commissioner on aging who later advocated for the old and disabled, dies at 93

Mr. Cohen passionately supported the elderly, and didn't mince words when testifying before government committees. At one point he was called a 'wild jackass.' He was delighted with the insult.
Jeffrey Ostrowski, leader in the field of physical therapy, dies at 58

Jeffrey Ostrowski, leader in the field of physical therapy, dies at 58

by Bonnie L. Cook
"Jeff was an enigma wrapped in a blue shirt, a sharp blazer, and skinny jeans,” his partners said. He had a knack for making people around him feel — and be — better.
Jeffrey Ostrowski, leader in the field of physical therapy, dies at 58

Jeffrey Ostrowski, leader in the field of physical therapy, dies at 58

"Jeff was an enigma wrapped in a blue shirt, a sharp blazer, and skinny jeans,” his partners said. He had a knack for making people around him feel — and be — better.
Rev. James S. Allen Sr., former pastor of Philly’s Vine Memorial Baptist and political leader, dies at 84

Rev. James S. Allen Sr., former pastor of Philly’s Vine Memorial Baptist and political leader, dies at 84

by Valerie Russ
Rev. Allen was a political power broker with a common touch, a civil rights leader and mentor to young pastors.'
Rev. James S. Allen Sr., former pastor of Philly’s Vine Memorial Baptist and political leader, dies at 84

Rev. James S. Allen Sr., former pastor of Philly’s Vine Memorial Baptist and political leader, dies at 84

Rev. Allen was a political power broker with a common touch, a civil rights leader and mentor to young pastors.'
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Thomas K. Cloetingh, a Chester County entrepreneur and philanthropist, dies at 67

Thomas K. Cloetingh, a Chester County entrepreneur and philanthropist, dies at 67

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mr. Cloetingh was founder and CEO of the Wayne-based Signal Holdings LLC, a provider of protection programs and repair services for cell phones.
James Moran, the force behind Philadelphia’s worker health and safety movement, dies at 81

James Moran, the force behind Philadelphia’s worker health and safety movement, dies at 81

by Juliana Feliciano Reyes
Moran, the founder of worker health and safety organization PhilaPOSH, was a lifelong defender of the working class who never shied from a fight.
Samuel A. Nalbone Sr., a decorated World War II Army veteran, dies at 97

Samuel A. Nalbone Sr., a decorated World War II Army veteran, dies at 97

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mr. Nalbone received the Bronze Star Medal for valor in battle. In 1944, he walked through a minefield to get help and rescued 12 wounded Army comrades, saving their lives.
New York City’s first Black mayor, David Dinkins, dies at 93

New York City’s first Black mayor, David Dinkins, dies at 93

by Deepti Hajela, Associated Press
Dinkins, a calm and courtly figure with a penchant for tennis and formal wear, was a dramatic shift from both his predecessor, Ed Koch, and his successor, Rudolph Giuliani.
Patricia Carlin Sperling, early proponent for equality and social justice, dies at 98

Patricia Carlin Sperling, early proponent for equality and social justice, dies at 98

by Bonnie L. Cook
While in high school, Ms. Sperling skipped classes to attend a demonstration at the Baldwin Locomotive Works, her family said. She supported progressive causes and acted on her beliefs.
Keshone Young, 24, cat lover who planned to be an electrician

Keshone Young, 24, cat lover who planned to be an electrician

by Stacy Brown, The Philadelphia Obituary Project
Keshone Young graduated from Thomas Edison High School in North Philadelphia in 2014 and most recently worked as a crew assistant at Checkers. His killer remains at large.
Mansfield Bascom, cofounder of Wharton Esherick Museum, has died at 96

Mansfield Bascom, cofounder of Wharton Esherick Museum, has died at 96

by Stephan Salisbury
Mr. Bascom devoted half a century to preserving Esherick's built legacy.
Ralf E. Gilbert, a Bucks County lawyer and an outdoorsman, dies at 87

Ralf E. Gilbert, a Bucks County lawyer and an outdoorsman, dies at 87

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mr. Gilbert enjoyed hosting a family party at Christmas. Another favorite pastime was going to deer camp with his male relatives during deer season. He also loved fishing.
Daniel McGinley, longtime Philadelphia educator and union chief, dies at 88

Daniel McGinley, longtime Philadelphia educator and union chief, dies at 88

by Kristen A. Graham
“He saw education as the great equalizer,” Mr. McGinley's daughter Nancy McGinley said. “It transformed my family.”
Amber M. Racine, an attorney and leader of the Philadelphia Bar Association, dies at 38

Amber M. Racine, an attorney and leader of the Philadelphia Bar Association, dies at 38

by Valerie Russ
Ms. Racine, who was described as a “rising star” in the city’s legal community, died Nov. 11.
Graham Smith, actor at People’s Light in Malvern, dies at 65

Graham Smith, actor at People’s Light in Malvern, dies at 65

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mr. Smith performed in 130 plays up and down the East coast, 33 of them at People’s Light in Malvern.
John J. Lombard Jr., lawyer and adviser to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, dies at 85

John J. Lombard Jr., lawyer and adviser to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, dies at 85

by Bonnie L. Cook
One of his clients said Mr. Lombard "had a quiet, intelligent way about him that went well beyond the black business briefcase he carried." He almost seemed like a member of the client's family.
Eleanora L. Cheney, an educator and a philanthropist in South Jersey, dies at 97

Eleanora L. Cheney, an educator and a philanthropist in South Jersey, dies at 97

by Bonnie L. Cook
Mrs. Cheney didn't begin teaching until age 40, but loved it. By all accounts, her former students loved her, too. They would call out greetings when she went out in public.
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